The Imperial Tobacco Group has announced that its group marketing director, Roberto Funari, will leave the business on January 30.

Funari joined Imperial in 2010 and has been responsible for the strategic development of the group’s brand and product portfolio worldwide.

His successor is being recruited externally, a process that is said to be well underway.

“I’d like to thank Roberto for the contribution he’s made to the success of our sales growth strategy,” said chief executive, Alison Cooper.

“He leaves group marketing in a strong position and the team will continue their focus on building consumer insights and developing innovations to drive the long-term growth of our total tobacco brands.”